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Blythe Dolls

March 2015

March 18, 2015

This new shawl pattern, Sirène, was an adventure in naming. It is hard to come up with names! Here are some of the contenders and why they were possibilities or why they weren't chosen. 1. Doghouse. Background conversation: "Honey, your car is shaking when I go over 50. Silence. Husband: I know...Uh...it gets better as the day goes on...DOGHOUSE (because I had to spend 6 hours at the mechanic since there was metal coming out of a tire and they had to order the dumb tire). 2. Winter Sucks! This was passed over because I teach Knitting Club at my kid's school and I shouldn't use language like this (not that I don't, but I know I'm not supposed to). 3. Dust on the Windows - noticed when taking these photos. But if i don't point it out you probably won't notice (unlike if your car shuddered when driving over 50mph...I know you guys would notice that and not continue to drive). Ahem.

"Ariel" after the Little Mermaid. Daughter's choice. All I need is Disney lawyering up against me. Plus the name is taken. "Flounder's Friend." Flounder was Ariel's best friend but Disney again. I liked the mermaid idea, though, since it looks like it has scales...hence Sirène. I also love how the scale stitches disappear when backlit and tiny flowers come out, almost in bas-relief. Such a fun discovery! Sirene takes 2 skeins of fingering, (740 yards), shown here in Miss Babs Yummy 2 ply in Blue Energy.

March 11, 2015

Best husband, EVER. Yesterday, he took me to this amaaaazing store with hundreds of giant knitting bags! I may not look excited but that's because I'm a master of self control. I was knitting my new design, Vary the Gate, shown below, available on Ravelry.

March 05, 2015

Once in a great while I do book reviews if I really like something. Artistic Differences is a collaborative book between Classic Elite Yarns and designer, Talitha Kuomi. I'm always happy when I can find a knitting book where I like all of the patterns, rather than a select few! I can then put the book in my library and refer to it when I need inspiration. There are numerous designs that are both knit-able and make you want to knit them; They are organic but with an edge.

My favorite design is the Forte pullover, as I can imagine it in different sizes and colors. I also know that my 11 year old would steal mine in a heartbeat. I love when garter stitch is used in a unique way. In Forte, top-down raglan shaping is combined with some dropped stitches and a unique garter middle. Yet, it's still simple (making me smack my head and wish I'd thought of it!)

The Tensity bag, with central cables and nice, textured reverse stockinette surrounding them. What attracts me to these is that they have the same construction, knitting wise, but are sewn up differently afterwards, depending on the look you want. Shown in Classic Elite Wynter, on US 10/6mm needles.

It will come as no surprise that the magenta Cade cowl is one of my favorites, probably because I'm such a fan of what I call a "loopy stitch" (and the color magenta, of course.) The loopy stitch is easily executed but adds a nice embellishment, and you can also do it in a different color. There are two different versions included of this lovely cowl, the Rocker and the Boho. One is longer, the other wider. Knitted in Chateau, a baby alpaca and bamboo mix, on US 11 needles. Instant gratification!

In total, there are two sock patterns, four sweaters, a pair of fingerless gloves, a cowl, a hat, and a bag - all of which are shown in different versions, sizes or construction techniques, giving knitters immense value for money, while playing heavily on style and edge. Love it!

March 02, 2015

This post is more for those who know me and are giving me a lot of grief about not having a car. I haven't been teased so much since getting braces! In fact, I kind of feel like not getting a car now because it seems to really bug people. Right around Christmas, someone came blasting into the back of my car, hard. Car totaled, no chance of repair. Since then, Husband has been taking the bus (and claims to actually enjoy the down time) until I get another car. It's as if people are offended by this. And the Facebook messages: "Just saw your daughter at school: Does she need a ride home... I know you STILL don't have a car!" Which, of course results in comments: "You don't have a car?" "OMG, STILL?" and "Why don't you get a car already" For the record, I did consider that my kid needed a way home, but the 14 mile walk to our house is mostly smooth highway, and she knows to flag down an honest looking stranger if it's snowing.

Here's the thing: My old car was the BEST. It had a tricked out, very loud exhaust, manual transmission, and was a wagon, or "estate" if you aren't in the US. Let me emphasize: I don't care if it's dorky to love a wagon. It got 32 mpg on a good day! I could punch it on the highway and double clutch it out on twisting, empty back roads near the knitting store. Potholes near the studio, no problemo. Ikea run - tons of room in the back. But now, I can't seem to find anything bigger than a Mini Cooper that comes with a stick shift, never mind AWD. With the grace level in our family, SUV's are asking for trouble. They don't sell the Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo wagon or the Mazda 6 (with it's super cool shark fin) in the US. I'm thinking that the picture above might be just about my speed. Kids will be punching each other in the tiny backseat but at least we'll look super cute and I'll get my 3 pedals. It's funny: Looking back, you can see that in 2010 I had the same issues. Reading that old post makes me think I should wait until we're in Ireland this summer and bring home a Mazda 6 on the boat. First World problems, eh?